Strawberry plant named ‘Cristal’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety. The varietal denomination of the new variety is ‘Cristal’. Among the characteristics which appear to distinguish the new variety from other varieties are a combination of traits which include inflorescence that appears above the foliage same size of calyx relative to corolla and abundant production of dark red colored, almost cylindrical shaped, and firm fruit, large fruit size, and early time of ripening.

Botanical classification: Fragaria×ananassa Duch.

Varietal denomination: The new plant has the varietal denomination‘Cristal’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of strawberry was created in a breeding program bycrossing two parents; in particular, by crossing as seed parent anundistributed strawberry parent designated 9261 (unpatented) and aspollen parent an undistributed strawberry parent designated 9045(unpatented). Female and male are selections from breeder's program ofPlanasa. Both parental varieties are property and have not beencommercialized.

The resulting seedling of the new variety was grown and asexuallypropagated by runners in Segovia, Spain, 3° 59′W., 41° 22′N., 2742 feetelevation. Clones of the new variety were further asexually propagatedand extensively tested. This propagation and testing has demonstratedthat the combination of traits disclosed herein which characterize thenew variety are fixed and retained true to type through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety.The varietal denomination of the new variety is ‘Cristal’. Among thecharacteristics which appear to distinguish the new variety from othervarieties are a combination of traits which include inflorescence thatappears above the foliage, same size of calyx relative to corolla andabundant production of dark red colored, almost cylindrical shaped, andfirm fruit, large fruit size, and early time of ripening (50% of plantswith ripe fruits).

COMPARISON TO CLOSEST VARIETY

The new variety is closest to the variety ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.9,757), but is distinguished therefrom by the following characteristicspossessed by ‘Cristal’ which are different than, or not possessed by,‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757).

-   -   1. ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757) exhibit a plant more        dense than ‘Cristal’.    -   2. ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757) shows a leaf color of        upper side (RHS green group near 135 B to 135 A) more dark than        ‘Cristal’ (RHS green group near 141 B to 141 A).    -   3. Shape in cross section of the leaf in ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant        Pat. No. 9,757) is flat to slightly convex, than in ‘Cristal’ it        is slightly concave.    -   4. Glossiness of the leaf in ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757)        is less strong than in ‘Cristal’.    -   5. In ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757) the position of the        inflorescence relative to foliage is beneath, in ‘Cristal’ it is        above.    -   6. Size of calyx relative to corolla of the flower in ‘Aires’        (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757) is smaller and the relative position        of petals is touching, than in ‘Cristal’ the size of calyx        relative to corolla is same size and the relative position of        petals is overlapping.    -   7. The fruit shape of ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757) is        conical whereas in ‘Cristal’ is almost cylindrical.    -   8. ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757) shows a red fruit color        (RHS red group near 44 A to 42 A), whereas in ‘Cristal’ it is an        dark red fruit color (RHS red group near 46 B to 45 A).    -   9. Band without achenes in fruit of ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.        9,757) is absent or very narrow whereas in the fruit of        ‘Cristal’ is narrow.    -   10. The glossiness of fruit in ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.        9,757) is medium whereas in the fruit of ‘Cristal’ is strong.

The differences in the leaf color of upper side of ‘Cristal’ (designated00.44.194) and ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757) (designated90.79.060) are shown in FIG. 3. The differences in the fruits of‘Cristal’ and ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757) are shown in FIG. 6.These differences are maintained during the harvest season.

-   -   11. ‘Cristal’ shows a firmness fruit slightly more than ‘Aires’        (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757).    -   12. Time of ripening in ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757) is        very early whereas in ‘Cristal’ is early.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIONS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety,designated 00.44.194 in the illustrations, including fruit, foliage andflower, in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make incolor illustrations of this character.

The plants depicted in the drawings were planted Oct. 15, 2007 in thefarm of La Mogalla in Cartaya (Huelva), Spain, about 7° W., 37° N., 45feet elevation.

Drawings were taken April, 2008 (about Apr. 15, 2008): minimum temperateabout 10 to 12° Centigrade, maximum temperate about 22 to 24°Centigrade.

FIG. 1 shows several plants of the new variety (designated 00.44.194)which exhibit a plant less dense than ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.9,757) (designated 90.79.060). The plants of the new variety (designated00.44.194) exhibit the position of the inflorescence relative to foliageis above.

FIG. 2 shows several plants of strawberry variety ‘Aires’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 9,757) (designated 90.79.060) which exhibit a plant more densethan the new variety (designated 00.44.194). The plants of thestrawberry variety ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757) (designated90.79.060) exhibit the position of the inflorescence relative to foliageis beneath.

FIG. 3 shows the top of a complete leave of the new variety (designated00.44.194) and a complete leave of strawberry variety ‘Aires’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 9,757) (designated 90.79.060). In it we can see that theleaf color of upper side of ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757)(designated 90.79.060) is more dark (RHS green group near 135 B to 135A) than in the new variety (designated 00.44.194) (RHS green group near141 B to 141 A). Shape in cross section of the leaf in ‘Aires’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 9,757) (designated 90.79.060) is flat to slightly convex,than in the new variety (designated 00.44.194) it is slightly concave.Glossiness of the leaf in ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757)(designated 90.79.060) is less strong than in the new variety(designated 00.44.194).

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show the flower of the new variety (designated00.44.194) and the flower of strawberry variety ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 9,757) (designated 90.79.060). In it we can see that the size ofcalyx relative to corolla of the flower in ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.9,757) (designated 90.79.060) is smaller and the relative position ofpetals is touching, than in the new variety (designated 00.44.194) thesize of calyx relative to corolla is same size and the relative positionof petals is overlapping.

FIG. 6 shows the comparison between fruits of the new variety(designated 00.44.194) and the flower of strawberry variety ‘Aires’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757) (designated 90.79.060). In it we can seethat the fruit shape of ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757) (designated90.79.060) is conical whereas in the new variety (designated 00.44.194)is almost cylindrical. Flower and reproductive organs of the new variety(designated 98.08V.134). ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757) (designated90.79.060) shows a red fruit color (RHS red group near 44 A to 42 A),whereas in the new variety (designated 00.44.194) it is an dark redfruit color (RHS red group near 46 B to 45 A). Band without achenes infruit of ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757) (designated 90.79.060) isabsent or very narrow whereas in the fruit of the new variety(designated 00.44.194) is narrow. The glossiness of fruit in ‘Aires’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757) (designated 90.79.060) is medium whereas inthe fruit of the new variety (designated 00.44.194) is strong.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show typical fruit of the new variety (designated00.44.194) whole, sliced and in cross section, illustrating the typicalflesh and flesh coloration (RHS red group near 43 B to 43 A),conspicuous core and core cavity, almost cylindrical shape and dark redfruit color (RHS red group near 46 B to 45 A).

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description of the new variety is based uponobservations taken of plants and fruits grown “underglass”, i.e.undertunnel, in the farm of La Mogalla in Cartaya (Huelva), Spain, 7°W., 37° N., 45 feet elevation.

The following description is in accordance with UPOV terminology and thecolor terminology herein is in accordance with The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart (R.H.S.C.C.). The color descriptions and otherphenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values anddescriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal,climatic and cultural conditions.

PROPOGATION

The new variety is principally propagated by way of runners. Althoughpropagation by runners is presently preferred, other know methods ofpropagating strawberry plants may be used. Strawberries root well aftertransplanting.

The term “blistering” used herein refers to the texture or rugosity orsurface ondulation inherent to leaves and is generally a constantcharacteristic.

GENERAL

‘Cristal’ is a fully remontant (non flowering runners) variety and donot needs an induction to flowering by chilling (fresh plant) or withcold storage (referred to as a frigo). ‘Cristal’ is self-fertile. Itproduces large quantity of pollen throughout the seasons and pollinationis generally good as there are very few malformed fruit.

-   -   -   Production.—Plants described are from high elevation            nursery. Trials pursued in Cartaya (Huelva), Spain. Date of            planting: 15th Oct. 2007. Number of repetitions: 2. Plants            per repetition: 225.

Comparison with ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757). The new variety iscompared with ‘Aires’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,757) (designated 90.79.060)in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

Accumulated production of 1st quality fruit (g/plant) Variety 21February 28 March 25 April 15 May AIRES 54 270 520 677 CARLSBARD 108 399595 708 CRISTAL 74 344 791 992 1st + 2nd Quality Weight Variety FruitTotal (g/fruit) AIRES  677 + 129 806 23-21 CARLSBARD 708 + 75 783 25-23CRISTAL 992 + 66 1058 24-22

Production total, to 15 May, of First Quality Fruit (1^(st) quality) andSecond Quality Fruit (2^(nd) quality) in g/plant TOTAL 1^(st) 2^(nd)(1^(st) quality + % 2^(nd) Variety quality quality 2^(nd) quality)quality AIRES 677 129 806 16 CARLSBARD 708 75 783 10 CRISTAL 992 66 10586${\%\quad 2^{nd}\quad{quality}} = {\frac{2^{nd}\quad{quality}}{TOTAL} \times 100}$Weight (g/Fruit) at two dates: 28 March and 15 May WEIGHT (g/fruit) 28March 15 May AIRES 23 21 CARLSBARD 25 23 CRISTAL 24 22 WEIGHT is shownas the average weight per fruit in First Quality Fruits.

FRUIT ANALYSIS

CRISTAL ALBION AIRES (00.44.194) CARLSBARD Firmness (KG) 0.80 1.20 0.700.70 Humidity & 91.40 91.20 91.70 89.90 Volatile Matter (%) Dry Matter(%) 8.60 8.80 8.30 10.10 PH (to 20°) 3.20 3.20 3.40 3.40 Acidity as 1.201.20 1.10 1.20 Anhydride Citric (%) Soluble Solids 6.90 6.90 6.60 8.40(°Brix) Maturity Index 5.60 5.80 6.00 7.00 Content in Ascorbic 1122 13021251 1330 Acid (ppm) Dominant Tonality 510 515 510 510 (nm) Luminosity:Transmittance to 56.20 57.00 51.70 46.90 460 nm

-   The following definitions apply:-   Firmness: It is the fruit's resistance to penetration measured in    Kilograms (Kg). The measure given has been obtained by the    penetrometer ROZE Mod. Arbelette, with a 50 mm² section head.-   Dry matter: It is the weight of the residual left from the    trituration of the fruit after the drying process at a temperature    of 103° C.±2° C. until reaching constant weight.    ${(\%)\quad{Dry}\quad{Matter}} = {\frac{{Weight}\quad{Dry}\quad{Matter}}{{Weight}\quad{Fresh}\quad{Matter}} \times 100}$-   Humidity & volatile matter: Represents the content in volatile    matters and water of the fruits.    (%) Humidity & Volatile Matter=100−% Dry Matter-   Maturity index: Relation between Soluble solids and Acidity as    Anhydride Citric.    ${{Maturity}\quad{Index}} = \frac{{Soluble}\quad{solids}}{{Acidity}\quad{as}\quad{Anhydride}\quad{Citric}}$    The following additional information is provided to further describe    the new variety.-   Variety: Cristal. Breeder Ref. 00.44.194.-   Classification: Fragaria×ananassa Duch.-   Plant:    -   -   Habit.—Globose.        -   Density.—Medium.        -   Vigor.—Strong.        -   Height.—About 21 cm.        -   Width.—About 22 cm.-   Leaf:    -   -   Upperside.—RHS green group color (near 141 B to 141 A);            underside. — RHS green group color (near 138 B to 138 A).        -   Length.—About 9 cm.        -   Width.—About 12 cm.        -   Cross section.—Slightly concave.        -   Leaf surface ondulation or blistering.—Medium.        -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.-   Leaf stem characteristics:    -   -   Color.—RHS green group (near 139 D).        -   Position of hairs.—Upwards.        -   Length.—About 11 cm.-   Terminal leaflet:    -   -   Length/width ratio.—As long as broad.        -   Length.—About 8.5 cm.        -   Width.—About 8.5 cm.        -   Shape of base.—Obtuse.        -   Shape of teeth.—Crenate.-   Petiole:    -   -   Position of hairs.—Upwards.        -   Length.—About 11 cm.-   Stipule:    -   -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Absent or very weak. Color. — RHS            green group coloration (near 139 D).-   Stolons:    -   -   Number.—Few, about 6 to 7.        -   Thickness.—Medium, about 3.1 mm.        -   Pubescence.—Medium.        -   Color.—RHS green group (near 139 D to 143 D).-   Inflorescence: Position relative to foliage. — Above.-   Flower:    -   -   Size.—Medium.        -   Size of calyx relative to corolla.—Same size.        -   Spacing of petals.—Overlapping.-   Flower characteristics:    -   -   Diameter primary flowers.—About 2.0-2.5 cm.        -   Diameter secondary flowers.—About 2.0 cm.        -   Number of petals.—Normally about 5. No significant            fragrance.        -   Time from bloom to mature fruit (in Huelva, Spain).—About 35            to 38 days.        -   Staments.—Numerous with pollen present, fertile and            abundant. Length — approximately 4 mm. Color — RHS white            group (near 155 D to 155 C).        -   Anthers.—Generally average in size. Color — RHS yellow group            (near 12 B to 13 B) and darkening with advanced maturity.        -   Pollen.—Fertile and abundant. Color — RHS yellow orange            group (near 14B to 15B).        -   Pistils.—Numerous, generally average in size. Color — RHS            yellow group (near 12B to 13C).-   Petal:    -   -   Length/width ratio.—Broader than long.-   Fruiting truss:    -   -   Attitude.—Semi-erect.-   Fruit:    -   -   Ratio of length/maximum width.—Much longer than broad.        -   Color.—RHS red group (near 46 B to 45 A).        -   Peduncle length of inflorescence stem.—Primary fruit about 9            to 11 cm, secondary fruit about 6 to 7 cm, color near 139 D.-   Primary fruit:    -   -   Length.—About 5.5-6.0 cm.        -   Width.—About 3.5-4.0 cm.-   Secondary fruit:    -   -   Length.—About 5.0-5.5 cm.        -   Width.—About 3.0-3.5 cm.        -   Size.—Large.        -   Predominant shape.—Almost cylindrical.        -   Difference in shapes between primary and secondary            fruits.—Slight.        -   Band without achenes.—Narrow.        -   Color of achenes.—RHS orange red group (near 33 B to 33 A).        -   Unevenness of surface.—Weak.        -   Evenness of color.—Even.        -   Glossiness.—Strong.        -   Insertion of achenes.—Below surface.        -   Insertion of calyx.—Set above fruit.        -   Pose of the calyx segments.—Reflexed.        -   Size of calyx in relation to fruit diameter.—Slightly            smaller.        -   Adherence of calyx.—Strong.        -   Firmness.—Firm.        -   Color of flesh.—RHS red group (near 43 B to 43 A),            lightening toward center.        -   Distribution of red color of flesh.—Marginal and central.        -   Hollow center.—Absent or very weakly expressed.        -   Sweetness.—Medium.        -   Acidity.—Medium.        -   Time of flowering ( 50 % of plants at first flower).—Early.        -   Time of ripening ( 50 % of plants with ripe fruits).—Early.        -   Type of bearing.—Fully remontant (non-flowering runners).        -   Chilling.—Weak.        -   Planting date.—Oct. 15, 2007.        -   10 % Flowering.—Nov. 10, 2007.        -   First mature fruits.—Dec. 20, 2007.        -   Maturity ( 15-20 gms/plant).—Jan. 12, 2008.-   Time of flowering data: Date of planting: Oct. 15, 2007 in the farm    of La Mogalla, in Cartaya (Huelva), Spain, about 7° W., 37° N., 45    feet elevation. 10% flowering occurs about Nov. 10, 2007 with first    mature fruit about Dec. 20, 2007 and maturity (15-20 g/plant) about    Jan. 12, 2008.-   Time of flowers (50% of plants at first flower): About Nov. 17,    2007.-   Storage qualities: ‘Cristal’ fruit maintain their quality    characteristics when keeping them in a frigo chamber at temperatures    of about 2° C. during 48 hours. The fruit's color remains    substantially the same.-   Time of ripening: After planting as aforesaid, plants are grown in    raised beds undertunnel (small tunnel with small holes in plastic    walls). Water and fertilizer were applied through drip irrigation.    Time of ripening (50% of plants with ripe fruit) is about Dec.    27, 2007. First mature fruit is about Dec. 20, 2007 and maturity    (15-20 gms/plant) is about Jan. 12, 2008.-   General: The growing period in Huelva, Spain, where the observations    were made, is between about December, 15 and May, 30 of each year,    with a maximum production at about mid-April. ‘Cristal’ is a short    variety that benefits from induction to flowering by chilling,    usually a few hours are sufficient, preferably at temperatures of    7° C. or less. Normally, the minimum number of hours is accumulated    in the field during several days.-   Disease resistance: No particular sensitivity to any disease or    parasite has been observed for ‘Cristal’.

1. A new and distinct strawberry plant of the variety substantially asshown and described.